J Otley Wetland Nature Reserve
The gravel pits of Otley Wetland Nature Reserve have produced many outstanding records. Entry however, is now private, and a permit to visit the site is required from Otley Wetland Nature Reserve Trust.
The alluvial deposits around Otley have been exploited over a number of years and have left amenity lakes to the east, as well as the west, of the town. The Bridge End site has a (pre)history stretching back to the early Neolithic, over 5500 years ago. It consists of water areas, recently-planted woodlands and reedbeds, rough grassland and stream edges. The reserve is part of a larger area of complementary uses, including a yachting lake, improved grazing land and mature woodland.
Birds include Little Ringed Plover, which has bred here, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and Common Tern all breed on the reserve or immediately adjacent, together with Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, and Lapwing. Visitors include Red Kite, Peregrine, Osprey, Little Egret, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Smew, Goosander, Water Rail, Little Owl, Kingfisher, Waxwing, Redwing and Fieldfare. The dragonflies and damselflies are a feature of this site, with 15 species recorded, of which seven have bred. The flora includes an extensive area of Common Spotted Orchids and some Bee Orchids, Red Bartsia, Creeping Jenny, Changing Forget-me-not and Gypsywort, all of which are local in the area. Photo: Nigel Priestley